Finally get to see my first NBA games, expectations/advice

[A_dub06]

Hey guys

As an NBA fan from the age of 5 from Western Australia, I am finally embarking on a boys trip to the US in March where me and some mates are spending just short of 3 weeks travelling around the US and watching as many NBA games as a focal point for the trip. We are seeing 8 total, and I am lucky enough that the fellas were kind enough to stop through Dallas so I can see the Pistons take on the Mavs at American Airlines.

I’m beyond excited but I would like to hear from you guys my fellow Pistons fans what should I expect across these games in terms of atmosphere, drink pricing, etiquette…etc? I’ve been to many basketball games in Australia watching NBL games but will the experience be vastly different? If I'm wearing my pistons jersey at the Dallas game will I get heckled by the home crowd?

Any info/advice you can give me for the experience ahead of my trip is much appreciated!

[BadMofoPimp]

Beers are about $10 each. Usually, I stop for happy hour at some venue within walking distance, preferrably one with 2 for 1, get hammered then goto game. Make sure you cheer for Pistons! What other cities games you going to?

[Uncle Mxy]

Bring binoculars if you don't have good seats. Don't fixate on the massive overhead screen, much as you might want to.

[Canadafan]

Sounds amazing. You're gonna a have a blast.
I've been to Miami, Toronto, Detroit, Cleveland for games. I need to get to some more cities.
The cavs was in playoffs vs lebron and we wore our jerseys and yelled and screamed at and with the fans lol. I was young though so I can't see me doing that now hahaha.
With how bad we've been I can't see any other teams fans caring so definitely wear your favorite piston jersey
Up here in Toronto I always wear my dumars or Isiah jersey and it's all good

[A_dub06]

Beers are about $10 each. Usually, I stop for happy hour at some venue within walking distance, preferrably one with 2 for 1, get hammered then goto game. Make sure you cheer for Pistons! What other cities games you going to?

In my Australian $ that’s a lot of money for beer but sounds like drinking more before the game at a close venue might be the go! Only seeing one Pistons game which I expect to lose my voice at but will love seeing my favourite team finally .

Going to LA, Dallas, New York, New Orleans, Vegas and then back to LA before going home in that order so will be seeing Cavs vs Clippers in LA, Nuggets vs Lakers in LA, Pistons vs Mavs in Dallas, Mavs vs Nets in Brooklyn, Warriors vs Pelicans in NOR, and Warriors vs Lakers in LAL. There’s a couple other games we may go see as well

[A_dub06]

Bring binoculars if you don't have good seats. Don't fixate on the massive overhead screen, much as you might want to.

We have alright seats, half way to 2/3 back from the court. I didn’t realise how expensive tickets actually were and makes me wonder who has enough money to consistently buy tickets but hey it’s a trip of a lifetime so the cost is inconsequential

[A_dub06]

Sounds amazing. You're gonna a have a blast.
I've been to Miami, Toronto, Detroit, Cleveland for games. I need to get to some more cities.
The cavs was in playoffs vs lebron and we wore our jerseys and yelled and screamed at and with the fans lol. I was young though so I can't see me doing that now hahaha.
With how bad we've been I can't see any other teams fans caring so definitely wear your favorite piston jersey
Up here in Toronto I always wear my dumars or Isiah jersey and it's all good

Awesome cheers for the info. Despite my opinions on the team and its trajectory if Cade’s having a good game I may even he’ll “Cade have my babies!” And provide some entertainment to Dallas fans haha. I’m sure with my Australian accent they’ll sense the humour. Will definitely be buying a fresh Pistons jersey over there!

[Canadafan]

Beers are about $10 each. Usually, I stop for happy hour at some venue within walking distance, preferrably one with 2 for 1, get hammered then goto game. Make sure you cheer for Pistons! What other cities games you going to?

In my Australian $ that’s a lot of money for beer but sounds like drinking more before the game at a close venue might be the go! Only seeing one Pistons game which I expect to lose my voice at but will love seeing my favourite team finally .

Going to LA, Dallas, New York, New Orleans, Vegas and then back to LA before going home in that order so will be seeing Cavs vs Clippers in LA, Nuggets vs Lakers in LA, Pistons vs Mavs in Dallas, Mavs vs Nets in Brooklyn, Warriors vs Pelicans in NOR, and Warriors vs Lakers in LAL. There’s a couple other games we may go see as well

Wowww, incredible! You are making us all jealous with that schedule lol.
What about going to see Knicks when in NY? Tough to get tix i bet

[zeebneeb]

If you've never been to an NBA game, the biggest thing your gonna notice, is the size, and speed of the athletes. Its crazy. Watching games on the TV is a 2D representation. Almost like a videogame. This truly brings the players to life.

Trust me, it sounds weird, but its gonna stand out. The court seems tiny in comparison to when its on TV.

[A_dub06]

Beers are about $10 each. Usually, I stop for happy hour at some venue within walking distance, preferrably one with 2 for 1, get hammered then goto game. Make sure you cheer for Pistons! What other cities games you going to?

In my Australian $ that’s a lot of money for beer but sounds like drinking more before the game at a close venue might be the go! Only seeing one Pistons game which I expect to lose my voice at but will love seeing my favourite team finally .

Going to LA, Dallas, New York, New Orleans, Vegas and then back to LA before going home in that order so will be seeing Cavs vs Clippers in LA, Nuggets vs Lakers in LA, Pistons vs Mavs in Dallas, Mavs vs Nets in Brooklyn, Warriors vs Pelicans in NOR, and Warriors vs Lakers in LAL. There’s a couple other games we may go see as well

Wowww, incredible! You are making us all jealous with that schedule lol.
What about going to see Knicks when in NY? Tough to get tix i bet

My bad! We are seeing the Knicks play the Mavs at MSG too. There might even be 1-2 other games I’ve missed but we are all massive NBA fans so we’ve spent a bit on tix

[Fennis Dembo]

If you've never been to an NBA game, the biggest thing your gonna notice, is the size, and speed of the athletes. Its crazy. Watching games on the TV is a 2D representation. Almost like a videogame. This truly brings the players to life.

Trust me, it sounds weird, but its gonna stand out. The court seems tiny in comparison to when its on TV.

I was front row of the 2nd section when Boban went off on Charlotte in '17. He's a freaking monster, it really is different watching something like that in person.

Agree drink, and eat before. everything inside is overpriced crap.

As cheesy as it may sound I've found Guy's show to be a great place to start looking at restaurants before I travel in the states:

https://www.foodnetwork.com/restaurants/shows/diners-drive-ins-and-dives

[dVs33]

Beers are about $10 each. Usually, I stop for happy hour at some venue within walking distance, preferrably one with 2 for 1, get hammered then goto game. Make sure you cheer for Pistons! What other cities games you going to?

In my Australian $ that’s a lot of money for beer but sounds like drinking more before the game at a close venue might be the go! Only seeing one Pistons game which I expect to lose my voice at but will love seeing my favourite team finally .

Going to LA, Dallas, New York, New Orleans, Vegas and then back to LA before going home in that order so will be seeing Cavs vs Clippers in LA, Nuggets vs Lakers in LA, Pistons vs Mavs in Dallas, Mavs vs Nets in Brooklyn, Warriors vs Pelicans in NOR, and Warriors vs Lakers in LAL. There’s a couple other games we may go see as well

Sounds like a great trip. If you have time, check out coops in new Orleans. Enjoy

[bstein14]

I understand in your situation buying tickets to games in advance makes sense, but at least for Detroit Pistons tickets in most cases you can get the cheapest tickets the morning of the game. Most likely any arena you'll go to you'll need to download an app and or use your apple/google wallet for your tickets as I'm guessing most everywhere has done away with paper tickets so make sure your phones are charged up and that you have cell service in the US.

[A_dub06]

I understand in your situation buying tickets to games in advance makes sense, but at least for Detroit Pistons tickets in most cases you can get the cheapest tickets the morning of the game. Most likely any arena you'll go to you'll need to download an app and or use your apple/google wallet for your tickets as I'm guessing most everywhere has done away with paper tickets so make sure your phones are charged up and that you have cell service in the US.

Yeah we’ve used a variety of ticket places but made sure to do our research to make sure they were all legit. Downloaded 7 apps thus far to make sure we are set for every game haha

[A_dub06]

If you've never been to an NBA game, the biggest thing your gonna notice, is the size, and speed of the athletes. Its crazy. Watching games on the TV is a 2D representation. Almost like a videogame. This truly brings the players to life.

Trust me, it sounds weird, but its gonna stand out. The court seems tiny in comparison to when its on TV.

I was front row of the 2nd section when Boban went off on Charlotte in '17. He's a freaking monster, it really is different watching something like that in person.

Agree drink, and eat before. everything inside is overpriced crap.

As cheesy as it may sound I've found Guy's show to be a great place to start looking at restaurants before I travel in the states:

https://www.foodnetwork.com/restaurants/shows/diners-drive-ins-and-dives

Epic thanks mate! Will check it out for sure

[A_dub06]

Beers are about $10 each. Usually, I stop for happy hour at some venue within walking distance, preferrably one with 2 for 1, get hammered then goto game. Make sure you cheer for Pistons! What other cities games you going to?

In my Australian $ that’s a lot of money for beer but sounds like drinking more before the game at a close venue might be the go! Only seeing one Pistons game which I expect to lose my voice at but will love seeing my favourite team finally .

Going to LA, Dallas, New York, New Orleans, Vegas and then back to LA before going home in that order so will be seeing Cavs vs Clippers in LA, Nuggets vs Lakers in LA, Pistons vs Mavs in Dallas, Mavs vs Nets in Brooklyn, Warriors vs Pelicans in NOR, and Warriors vs Lakers in LAL. There’s a couple other games we may go see as well

Sounds like a great trip. If you have time, check out coops in new Orleans. Enjoy

Will do, thanks for the tip!

[JLiv]

Pistons Jack!

[whitehops]

i've only ever been to raptors games so not sure if it's a different experience from games in the US but from this thread it sounds similar. food and drinks are really pricey so i usually eat/drink before and then buy a $15-$20 beer in the arena and nurse it all game. i don't think you should have a problem with fans as long as you don't antagonize.

and i'm not sure if you have all your tickets sorted but i've found for the price point getting a close row in the second level has a better view than one of the back rows in the first level. if you're going to multiple games it might be cool to just try different spots to sit because it does give you a different perspective. i'll add another point below...

If you've never been to an NBA game, the biggest thing your gonna notice, is the size, and speed of the athletes. Its crazy. Watching games on the TV is a 2D representation. Almost like a videogame. This truly brings the players to life.

Trust me, it sounds weird, but its gonna stand out. The court seems tiny in comparison to when its on TV.

the closer to the court you get the more you realize this. the closest i've ever sat was like 6th row, i was a young teenager and i remember seeing joey graham (not a good player but really athletic) go up for a rebound and was in awe. the ball was like above my eye level in the 6th row and he went up and got it. also, i randomly walked by reggie jackson one game and i'm 6'2 but it felt like he dwarfed me.

it sounds like you're gonna have an awesome trip, tell us all about it when you get back!

[A_dub06]

Pistons Jack!

Haha not me unfortunately. I did see he was going too but he’s actually going to Detroit which I wanted to but my boys said no which I guess with limited time kindve makes sense.

[A_dub06]

i've only ever been to raptors games so not sure if it's a different experience from games in the US but from this thread it sounds similar. food and drinks are really pricey so i usually eat/drink before and then buy a $15-$20 beer in the arena and nurse it all game. i don't think you should have a problem with fans as long as you don't antagonize.

and i'm not sure if you have all your tickets sorted but i've found for the price point getting a close row in the second level has a better view than one of the back rows in the first level. if you're going to multiple games it might be cool to just try different spots to sit because it does give you a different perspective. i'll add another point below...

If you've never been to an NBA game, the biggest thing your gonna notice, is the size, and speed of the athletes. Its crazy. Watching games on the TV is a 2D representation. Almost like a videogame. This truly brings the players to life.

Trust me, it sounds weird, but its gonna stand out. The court seems tiny in comparison to when its on TV.

the closer to the court you get the more you realize this. the closest i've ever sat was like 6th row, i was a young teenager and i remember seeing joey graham (not a good player but really athletic) go up for a rebound and was in awe. the ball was like above my eye level in the 6th row and he went up and got it. also, i randomly walked by reggie jackson one game and i'm 6'2 but it felt like he dwarfed me.

it sounds like you're gonna have an awesome trip, tell us all about it when you get back!

Will do bro! Should be the trip of a lifetime for sure!